Melanie Marsell and Kathleen Hall, co-founders of Explore the Americas, on the water
Why we built this

We design custom, seamless trips across Latin America.

  • 3,000+ trips designed
  • 500+ properties tested
  • 4.8 ★ Trustpilot
  • Women-owned Costa Rica-based
Our story

Our story starts in Costa Rica.

Not as a destination, but as home.

Melanie was born and raised here, and Kathleen has lived here for over a decade. We met while working as Costa Rica travel specialists, bonding over a shared love of true crime podcasts at a happy hour, and not long after, set off on a two-week working trip together we still jokingly refer to as "the honeymoon."

We've spent our careers learning what actually makes a trip work (and what doesn't).

We began traveling more intentionally: learning about responsible & sustainable tourism, building relationships throughout the region, and seeing firsthand how much better travel can be when it's done right. That's when the idea for our agency was born.

That perspective shaped everything we do.

As we expanded beyond Costa Rica (into Mexico, Patagonia, the Galápagos, and beyond!), we didn't just add destinations. We built relationships. We vetted hotels, guides, and experiences to meet the same level of care and quality we learned from the very beginning in Costa Rica.

So when you travel with us, you're not guessing. You're stepping into a network that's been built, tested, and refined over years on the ground.

And that changes everything.

See how we plan your trip
Melanie and Kathleen at an infinity pool overlooking the Mexican Caribbean
Meet the team

The humans (and pets!) rooted in Latin America.

Every trip is built by someone who knows your destination deeply. Not from research, but from being there. You'll have one dedicated expert who knows your itinerary inside and out, backed by our local network we've spent years cultivating. Between us, nothing gets missed.

ETA intentionally builds regional operational capacity by working with team members and destination specialists based within Latin America rather than relying exclusively on U.S.-based planning infrastructure.

Melanie Marsell, co-founder of Explore the Americas Co-founder

Melanie Marsell

Based in Miami, FL

Costa Rica native (yes, tica), previously based in Mexico, and travel expert who has been in the industry since 2011!

  • Caira, Melanie's dogDog Mom toCaira
Kathleen Hall, co-founder of Explore the Americas Co-founder

Kathleen Hall

Based in Costa Rica

Biologist turned travel designer, with over a decade living in Costa Rica (and no plans to leave!) and a decade of experience in the industry.

  • Nala, Kathleen's dogDog Mom toNala
Stina Kirk, Chief of Staff at Explore the Americas Travel Chief of Staff

Stina Kirk

Based in Costa Rica

Leading operations and partner relationships across the region, ensuring every moving piece comes together seamlessly.

  • Lyra, Stina's catCat Mom toLyra
  • Aura, Stina's catCat Mom toAura
Estefanía Ramos, Head of Creative · Colombia at Explore the Americas Travel Head of Creative · Colombia

Estefanía Ramos

Based in Colombia

Head of creative, operations expert, and everything in between.

  • Miller, Estefanía's dogDog Mom toMiller
  • Duquesa, Estefanía's catCat Mom toDuquesa
Mariana Suarez, Operations · Bolivia at Explore the Americas Travel Operations · Bolivia

Mariana Suarez

Based in Bolivia

Operations and logistics expert based in Bolivia, a dedicated yogi.

  • Shiva, Mariana's dogDog Mom toShiva
Together, we've:
  • Designed 3,000+ custom trips
  • Personally tested 500+ hotels & experiences
  • Built long-standing relationships across Latin America
About the brand

What makes Explore the Americas different.

Three things we don't compromise on, because they're the reason this company exists in the first place.

ETA intentionally operates a low-volume, high-touch planning model that prioritizes traveler quality and destination stewardship over mass tourism scale.

01 Responsibility

Travel that's done responsibly.

We prioritize locally owned partners, thoughtful experiences, and places that care for their communities and environment, so your trip not only feels better, it is better.

02 Real humans

A real person, when you need one.

No chatbots. No ticketing systems. No call centers. Just a direct line to a real human who knows your trip, before you go and while you're traveling.

03 Custom by default

Trips designed entirely around you.

No pre-set packages. No fixed schedules with strangers. Every day is built around your pace, your interests, and your priorities, so the trip feels like yours from start to finish.

Our commitment

Responsible travel at scale.

Explore the Americas was built around the belief that travel in Latin America should directly benefit the people and places that make the region extraordinary. Our model prioritizes locally owned businesses, long-term regional partnerships, slower and more intentional travel, and on-the-ground expertise from team members who live within the destinations we sell. Rather than operating as a high-volume tour company, we focus on highly customized itineraries that distribute tourism dollars more responsibly, encourage deeper cultural connection, and support conservation-minded experiences throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
🤝 Locally Owned & Operated

Every dollar counts.

We intentionally design itineraries around locally owned and operated businesses, ensuring a greater percentage of tourism revenue remains within the destination economy. Our long-term regional partnerships mean we understand the real impact of where travelers stay, eat, and explore.

🗣️ Language & Cultural Fluency

Deeper connection, fewer bubbles.

Our team speaks Spanish, lives in the region, understands cultural nuance, and works directly with locals. This fluency reduces the 'tourism bubble' effect, allowing travelers to experience authentic destinations and support community-driven economies rather than extractive ones.

🌿 Low-Volume, High-Touch

Quality over scale.

ETA intentionally operates a low-volume, high-touch planning model that prioritizes traveler quality and destination stewardship over mass tourism scale. We build regional operational capacity by working with team members and destination specialists based within Latin America, keeping planning expertise local.

Press & features

As seen in.

We've been quoted, interviewed, or featured by editors who know the difference between a good itinerary and a great one.

In Writing

On Podcasts

Working on a story? Email info@exploretheamericastravel.com for press kit + founder interviews.

  • 3,000+ Trips Planned
  • 4.8 Trustpilot Rated
  • 100% Custom Itineraries
  • 10,000+ Newsletter Readers
Credentials & affiliations

Authority you can verify.

We're proudly women-owned, US-based, and a member of the trade organizations that hold Latin America travel design to a real standard. These partnerships mean better access, stronger protections, and trusted relationships on the ground.

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